I’ve often said that events are more likely to get put in our What’s Up Peoria Script if they have a great description. It’s not just about making my script-writing easier though. One of the best ways to get your events to stand out to your potential audience is through the event description. 

Think about it. If you were trying to decide between these two bands, who would you choose?

Event 1: We’ll be at Harold’s on Main again. See you there!

Event 2: Prepare to be amazed as Two Much Fun takes to Harold’s on Main with their powerhouse performance, blending infectious beats and killer guitar riffs into a high-energy spectacle that will have you dancing all night long! 

The second one, right? Yeah, me too!

Another point - there is a phrase often used, “fake it til you make it.” I prefer to think of it as “practicing for when you make it.” None of the artists who tour regionally would be on tour if they didn't bother with writing great event descriptions.

Maybe you aren’t touring now or even looking to get into more venues… but start practicing for when you are!

This post is going to walk you through using ChatGPT (an AI website) to do that. 

There is a lot of debate about using AI in the arts. This use of AI is one of the least controversial. I’m not suggesting artists use AI to write anything anyone would expect to be “original” content. This is to help with one of those mundane, necessary tasks that artists are often letting slide.

Getting Started:

• Google ChatGPT and go to the website.

• If you haven’t used it before, you’ll need to create an account. The free version works fine for these purposes.

• In the box where you input information, type the following:

• “Write an event description that would make people want to come to this show” (or something similar

• Band name, Venue name, date, time

• Key descriptive words that might be useful “fun atmosphere” “shredding on guitar” etc

• “This is the setlist” 

• Paste in some or all of your setlist.

• Hit “Enter”

• Take the parts of the description that make sense and copy/paste them into a document

• Keep in mind that ChatGPT can be overly wordy. It’s okay to cut five paragraphs down to two!

• Change a few words to make it apply better.

• ChatGPT can be repetitive, delete overused phrases.

• An acoustic band might want to change the word ‘electrifying’ to ‘’unforgettable’. 

• Save that document to use the next time you are creating events. 

Pro Tips:

• If you don’t like what it gives you at all, tell it what changes you’d like to make.

• This sounds too much like the original

• This band is more folk than rock

• Try this again, but make it funnier, more romantic, more rockin’, etc.

• Tell it to use “active voice” instead of “passive voice” - it can make a big difference!

• Passive: Two Much Fun is going to rock the house on Sat. You aren’t going to want to miss it!

• Active: Two Much Fun rocks the house! Don’t miss out on Saturday’s show!

• You can do this with each event as you create it, or you can spend time making several different descriptions for your events and rotate them out as they apply.

• You can also do this for band bios, marketing text, whatever you need to write something for

Just For Fun:

• Once it has given you an event description, ask it to do these things:

• Rewrite that in the form of a limerick

• Rewrite that in iambic pentameter

• Rewrite that as if ___________________ was writing it. And put someone famous in the blank. (Christopher Walken is a fun one. I’ve also tried Eminem, Snoop Dog, and Mr Rogers.)

In the video below, I do this for four local artists/bands, and I specifically chose previous shows to use as examples. The results are on the last slide of the video, but you can find them here too. The artists themselves would probably have good input on ways to make these fit them better, but they are great examples of what can be done with AI.

James and The Underground

James and the Underground is not just a band; it's an experience crafted by the talented musician James Herr and the dynamic ensemble of Sarah & The Underground. Prepare to be enchanted as they pay homage to some of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time, including James Taylor, Jim Croce, Paul Simon, and more.
Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and get ready to lose yourself in the melodies of James and the Underground in the cozy ambiance of Uncorked Wine Shop and Tasting Room on Saturday, February 24th, from 6 pm to 9 pm.  See you there, music lovers! 🎵✨

Now and Zen

Experience an unforgettable journey through the sounds of decades past and present with Now and Zen, at Charlie's at Sunset Cove in East Peoria on Friday, November 17th at 6 pm. 
This dynamic husband-and-wife duo are the the masterminds behind Now and Zen, weavg a tapestry of sound that's as mesmerizing as it is eclectic. 
Armed with the Zendrum – an instrument you need to see to believe, they elevate each performance to new heights, seamlessly blending modern technology with timeless melodies.

Willsongs
Looking for a midweek escape filled with soul-soothing melodies and classic hits? Join us at Good Tequila's Mexican Grill this Thursday, January 18th, from 5-8pm for an unforgettable evening with solo acoustic virtuoso, Will Spicher.
Indulge in delectable Mexican cuisine, sip on your favorite drinks, and let the music transport you to a place of pure serenity and joy. Bring your friends, family, or that special someone for an evening that promises to leave you uplifted and inspired.

Old Soles
📅 Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 13th, and join us at the Neon Bison for a night of unforgettable rhythms and melodies that will keep you grooving from dusk till dawn.
🎺 Old Soles, a dynamic 6-piece band, is set to ignite the stage, so you can experience the ultimate fusion of Horns, Strings, and Melodies!

After I was done recording for the video, I was still on the Old Soles description and I said, “Write this in the form of a limerick” to get:

Mark your calendars for January thirteen,
Neon Bison's the place to convene.
Old Soles will ignite,
With melodies bright,
Horns, strings, and rhythms, so keen!